Re: RFC-87gtwys (was: smtp charter (revised) )

[throop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dean D. Throop)]

> From: Einar Stefferud <Stef@ics.uci.edu>
> Date: Thu, 18 Apr 91 21:28:55 MDT
> Sender: stef@nma.com
...
> 
> Then, as a separate effort, an RFC-87gtwy should be written to define
> the relationship between RFC-821 and RFC-smtp8, with due respect paid
> to RFC-822 and RFC-XXXX in terms of alignment and smooth interworking.
> This RFC-87gtwy will not specify an MTA level conversion.  The entire
> conversion takes place in the context of RFC-822 and RFC-XXXX, with UA
> level authority!  Thus, it does not belong inside an MTA protocol
> specification.  RFC-XXXX should expect and support RFC-87gtwy.
...

Aren't such gateways going to have the all problems of the 
wretched solution?  Basically some intermediate node must try
to translate a message without knowledge of either the sender
or the receiver.  

A better model might be to return undeliverable 8-bit messages 
to the sender and let the sender resend it as a 7-bit message.